Remember reading Dolly magazine as a teen? Well, Justine Cullen most certainly does. The iconic Aussie mag was the launching pad for her almost 30-year career in the magazine publishing industry, rising the ranks to become one of the most respected lifestyle magazine editors in Australia. Justine’s career hit glass ceiling levels when she became the founding Editor in Chief of ELLE Australia, and she seemingly had it all… but in her new book, Publishing PTSD, she reveals all about the realisation that her dream was no longer her dream. Now Editor in Chief at InStyle Australia, Justine is gracing Canberra with her presence for the next Inspire event hosted by Canberra Outlet on Saturday 19 November. Chatting with CW, Justine reveals the trials and tribulations of being a working mother, the most interesting person she’s interviewed, and feeling excited to check out Canberra.
You began in the magazine industry at 17 and worked your way up to your dream job, but then realised it was no longer your dream – Do you think finding your true passion in life is a difficult task?
“I think it’s a combination of things – obviously the role itself had changed, the industry was changing, but I had changed; the person that I was at 17 was very different to who I was at 40 and I think that’s maybe the trick, to continuously be listening to yourself and to be thinking… does this serve me?”
What do you remember about your internship at Dolly and what advice do you have for young women beginning their careers?
“I feel like I get that very visceral reminder quite often of what that feeling is like… but I just spoke at a fashion college the other day and was talking to them about internships and how they are just the most incredible opportunity. We spend so much of our lives working and it takes up so much of our brain power and so much of our energy that I’d like to think that whatever you’re doing really drives you and you feel really passionate.”
What is your best advice to a woman struggling to juggle career and family life?
“I definitely have things I do – boundaries is the biggest one. I think to be able to learn how to say no, which often for women doesn’t come until much later in your life, to feel really comfortable saying no.”
Who is the most interesting person you’ve interviewed?
“I wouldn’t say a celebrity… I have a story in the current issue of InStyle, I interviewed Lisa P. Jackson… she’s had this incredible history of changing the world.”
What will you be talking about during the Inspire event and are you looking forward to visiting Canberra?
“I really love having that dialogue with other women. I was originally coming down by myself and mentioned it to my husband and kids and they were like ‘We want to come!’ so we’re really excited to come.”
Some answers have been condensed for publication.
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